ReutersYemen’s Houthi movement says it has released the crew of the cargo ship Galaxy Leader, which its fighters seized in November 2023 at the start of their campaign of attacks on Red Sea shipping linked to the Gaza war.
Houthi-run Al Masirah TV reported that the 25 crew of the Bahamas-flagged and Japanese-operated vehicle carrier – comprising nationals from Bulgaria, Ukraine, the Philippines, Mexico and Romania – had been handed over to Oman.
The Houthi Supreme Council said the decision was “in support of Gaza and the ceasefire agreement” between Hamas and Israel that began on Sunday.
The head of the UN’s International Maritime Organization said the crew’s release was “a moment of profound relief”.
“Today’s breakthrough is a testament to the power of collective diplomacy and dialogue, recognizing that innocent seafarers must not become collateral victims in wider geopolitical tensions,” Arsenio Dominguez said.
“It is also a return to operations in the Red Sea as we have been accustomed to, and upholding of the freedom of navigation.”
Galaxy Leader’s operator, NYK Line, said it was still trying to confirm the news, but added: “If confirmed, this would great news for us and we are relieved that the crew can return home”.
The Houthis, who control north-western Yemen, began attacking Israel and international shipping shortly after the start of the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza in October 2023.
The US and UK have carried out air strikes in Yemen in response to the group’s attacks on dozens of merchant vessels in the southern Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.
Israel has also carried out four rounds of air strikes against the Houthis since July in retaliation for the 400 missiles and drones that the Israeli military says have been launched at the country from Yemen, most of which have been shot down.
